 Throughout its history, the growth of the District of North Mexico has been strong and steady, even though along its journey there have been both turbulent and heroic events.
The first settlement of the Institute on Mexican soil dates from the beginning of the twentieth century, in 1905. Institute presence, so much in demand by various social areas, was upset at various times due to political instability in the country during the first decades of the century. The congregation suffered the hardships of the Mexican Revolution and was a victim, above all, of religious intolerance.
 Between 1905 and 1912 there were 11 foundations in four areas: the Puebla region, central areas, northern areas, and areas in the capital city. The northern region saw the arrival of the De La Salle Brothers in 1907. They founded two establishments in Saltillo, Coahuila, el Asilo de la Inmaculada Concepción, and the free school of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. In Torreón another school was opened under the name of the patroness of Mexico.
Nonetheless, Lasallian presence was not long-lasting. In 1914, the revolutionary movement, charged as it was with a deep sense of anti-clericalism, expelled the Brothers in a violent way; two of them were even shot in Zacatecas. The Brother Visitor decided to close all the Lasallian works in Mexico and he sought refuge in Cuba, the United States and France.
In 1916, in an almost imperceptible way, the congregation again took up its activities in a house of formation. But it was not until 1921 when the District was strengthened by its annexation to the District of Cuba and both Districts were known as "Mexico Antilles."
 Nevertheless, over the course of the next 20 years continued Lasallian presence in Mexico suffered from religious persecution during the bloody "Cristera" war (1926 - 1928) and the stigma of the Cárdenas regime (1934 - 1940) which, in supporting socialist education, prohibited religious schools. Beginning in 1940, with the new government administration in place, the repression stopped, which made possible successive advances and the consolidation of educational works and houses of formation.
In 1947 the "Mexico Antilles" District was split into two independent Districts. And so the District of Mexico re-emerged and, in later years, District development was such that on January 1, 1960, two autonomous units took shape with the establishment of the District of North Mexico and the District of South Mexico.
 In its 42 years of existence, the District of North Mexico has succeeded in opening 21 schools, which include from pre-school level to university (the first District university, La Salle of Ciudad Obregón, was opened at the beginning of the 1990s). Currently, the number of students in our schools surpasses 32,000.
The creation of educational works for the poor in Tijuana, Saltillo and El Salto has strengthened the District's mission, as has the opening of 9 free secondary schools.
District efforts have been favored by the unconditional backing of those who have become members of the Lasallian family: administrative personnel, parents, neighbors, and the community that surrounds the various schools.
 Also, the District's Lasallian schools continue to enjoy great social prestige and recognition, which places them among the leading institutions nationwide. The District of North Mexico has channeled all its efforts towards teacher formation, an investment that has turned out to be a very positive one.
In this way, enthusiasm for making progress has been put forward in the creation of initiatives that promote solidarity, pedagogical innovation, fairness, respect, and quality growth. |
